The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Dec. 07, 1993
Filed:
Aug. 03, 1992
Martin E Jones, Plano, TX (US);
Texas Instruments Incorporated, Dallas, TX (US);
Abstract
Generally, and in one form of the invention, a bias circuit for a transistor amplifier comprising a nonlinear element which limits current flow in a transistor, whereby the output-signal amplitude of the transistor is limited and the transistor is protected from exceeding a maximum current level, is disclosed. In another form of the invention, a bias circuit for a transistor amplifier comprising a nonlinear element 44 which limits current flow through a base terminal of a bipolar transistor 48, whereby the output-signal amplitude of the bipolar transistor 48 is limited and current flow through a collector or an emitter terminal of the transistor 48 is prevented from exceeding a maximum safe level, is disclosed. In still another form of the invention, an amplifier comprising an amplifying transistor 48 and a bias circuit, wherein the bias circuit comprises a nonlinear element 44 which limits current flow through a base terminal of a bipolar transistor 48, whereby the output-signal amplitude of the amplifier is limited and current flow through a collector or an emitter terminal of the amplifying transistor 48 is prevented from exceeding a maximum safe level, is disclosed. In yet another form of the invention, an oscillator circuit comprising an oscillator 92 and an amplifier 94, wherein the amplifier comprises an amplifying transistor and a bias circuit, and wherein the bias circuit comprises a nonlinear element which limits current flow through a base terminal of a bipolar transistor, whereby the output-signal amplitude of the amplifier is substantially constant despite a signal of varying amplitude from the oscillator, is disclosed.